Archive | January, 2011

Online ZEN 3: Create A Website In 4 Minutes

By on January 28, 2011 in Online ZEN

I’ve been throwing stuff into the Cloud (Internet) only for a year. Online ZEN is just a little bit about how I’m using the Cloud more efficiently to make my life in the physical realm easier. Thanks for joining me in unveiling my rhythm in the Cloud! =)

To the left is my new physical inbox for mail and paperwork. I have never had one before, so I’m excited to put it to use. Also, for 5 of the last 7 days, I have checked email *after* working on my most important projects for 2 hours. (These were my goals from my last post in the series.) It’s very exciting to jump into this new perspective of the Cloud!

Now, here is how you can set up a website and/or blog super fast using Bluehost for hosting.*

1. Buy hosting through Bluehost if you don’t already have it. I highly recommend working with a hosting company that allows multiple domains under the same account, and Bluehost does exactly that. Plus they offer an awesome Online Chat help service as you find your way!
2. Decide on a good domain name, make sure it’s available, and buy it for $10.
3. Make sure your new domain is either your primary domain or an add-on domain.
4. On the c-panel, click on WordPress, and install WordPress on your domain.

So easy! You will receive your name and password, then you are on your way to a rockin website!

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Alzheimer’s Communication: Validation Versus Approval

By on January 27, 2011 in Older Adults

A caregiver at a facility that I serve regularly said something that has since moved me to examine my practice with memory care residents.

After a couple of brief statements that led me to believe that one resident was not oriented to time and place, this resident made a great general point: “Well, we never stop learning.”

A caregiver looked at her with wide eyes, raised eyebrows, a nodding head, and said “You are right, Betty, you’re absolutely right.”

I know for sure that the caregiver meant for the highest dignity, but with the vocal tone, wide eyes, and head nodding, I couldn’t help but think of one thing: “Kindergarten teacher.”

After the comment from the caregiver, the resident simply looked away and continued speaking, trailing off about another time and place . . .

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9 *MORE* Crazy Ideas for Playful Spontaneity During the Workday

By on January 25, 2011 in Music & Wellness

This post is an addon to the last 9 Crazy Ideas for Playful Spontaneity During the Workday. When’s the last time you performed an air guitar solo in your office? If it’s time for a 17-second work break, here are some ideas you can start with~

1. To the next attractive person you happen to see in the street or the office, look him/her dead in the eye and give a huge grin as if you know a really, really big secret.

2. Send yourself a sweet, tender, loving text message, but don’t read it for a few hours. (Maybe mention something about how awesome/cool/beautiful you are.)

3. Listen to two songs in a row on the radio. During the second song, mashup the first into the second. Sing loud and proud.

4. Play some wicked air guitar for Walk This Way.

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Online ZEN 2: Inboxes~ the Seductresses

By on January 21, 2011 in Online ZEN

La Jolla Sunset at Happy Hour 1/14/11

I’ve been throwing stuff into the Cloud (Internet) only for a year. Online ZEN is just a little bit about how I’m using the Cloud more efficiently to make my life in the physical realm easier. Thanks for joining me in unveiling my rhythm in the Cloud! =)

Do you ever feel a “Come hither” from your inboxes?

It’s pretty obvious that I’m influenced by ZenHabits.net. I’m taking Leo Babauta’s advice from his eBook The Simple Guide to a Minimalist Life. I LOVE that eBook! Thanks to Leo, just two days ago, I started a new habit: working on my MOST IMPORTANT PROJECTS before checking any inboxes during the day. This way, my time is more efficient and valuable when I actually check the inboxes.

But first, let’s count the number of inboxes I maintain. Some are in the Cloud, and some are on Earth.

  1. Email: Gmail and Yahoo (although I never check Yahoo…)
  2. Email chat (G-chat)
  3. US snail mail (home and office)
  4. Voicemail
  5. Text Messages
  6. Desk In-tray (which is the kitchen counter, the floor, and other various places for me right now)
  7. Post-it Notes
  8. Online Homepage for RSS feeds, etc.
  9. Twitter (2 accounts)
  10. Facebook personal
  11. Facebook business
  12. Facebook chat
  13. YouTube comments
  14. LinkedIn account and groups
  15. Comments on the blog

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Music Therapy State Recognition Operational Plan

By on January 18, 2011 in Kat's Musings

Many of us music therapy bloggers are participating in an advocacy project for the month of January, and here’s my post to add to the mix!

Our plan this month is to increase awareness of what board-certification means. We’d like to make sure that the MT-BC is a minimum requirement as a service provision in every work setting. In other words, if someone is practicing “music therapy” in the US, they should be board-certified. **See more below.

So, get involved! If you are in the Western Region, please look up your state task force leader, and get in touch to let him/her know that you are ON BOARD for Government Relations at WRAMTA.org.

Check out the Certification Board for Music Therapists and the American Music Therapy Association for more information. And you can check out the official press release at WRAMTA to see the list of participants in this project.

What is advocacy? Here’s what I found at TheFreeDictionary.com:

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